Devonta Freeman will get the opportunities in training camp to show what he can do in the Falcons' backfield. AP Photo/Phelan M. EbenhackVaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer64SharesEmailPrintCommentThe Atlanta Falcons open training camp on July 31 at their home facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Here's a 53-man roster projection:

There are some "surprise" cuts according to some. Although I don't think anybody here is that much of a real surprise. I think there is some expectation among fans that Quinn will be keeping a lot of the same players that Smith & Co. did, which I think is foolish and naive. There's always a ton of turnover the first 2 years of a new coaching staff. And certain players that the previous regime might have had a vested interest in development, doesn't mean the current one will feel the same.

Surprises"

1. Mooney winning the FB job over DiMarco. That's probably a toss-up so can't say that's a real surprise.2. Reedy getting cut. That shouldn't be a suprrise. Reedy is just really a p-squad guy this year unless the Falcons cut Hankerson.3. Huffer making it over both Holmes & Rodgers. This might be a legit surprise. Although Holmes' foot injury and the fact that he's a less than ideal fit in the new blocking scheme means that he's on the bubble. Rodgers is a developmental prospect that ideally would be on the p-squad, not the roster this year. My assumption is that Huffer impressed Vaughn during OTAs/minicamp to think he has a shot at earning a spot.4. Peter Konz making it. This has got to be the biggest surprise of all. Konz is a horrible fit in this blocking scheme. But then again, Vaughn thinks Asamoah is a bad fit, so he probably doesn't know what he's talking about.5. Joplo Bartu getting cut. While Bartu is arguably our most athletic LB after Durant, the fact is that he hasn't shown much ability on ST over the past 2 yrs, and if you're not a starting LB (which he will not be), then you gotta produce on ST, and the Falcons have better options there.6. Keeping only 3 safeties seems odd, especially in light of the fact that we're keeping 3 QBs. 7. Dezmen Southward getting cut. Not a surprise. He's a bubble player that is going to be playing a new position that historically he hasn't shown much potential to play. Akeem King is the same player essentially. Southward is a competent ST player, but he was by no means so good last year that he's a shoe-in to stick this year.